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Over 2,000 Meath Children in Classes of 30 or More - 11/08/2026
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More than 2,000 children in Meath are being taught in primary school classes of 30 pupils or more, according to the latest figures from the Department of Education.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Youth Darren O’Rourke TD has described the figures as “disgraceful”, saying overcrowded classrooms are making it harder for teachers to give children the individual attention they need.
The figures show that 2,003 children in Meath are in classes of 30 or more, while 86% of primary school children in the county are in classes larger than the EU average of 19 pupils.
Deputy O’Rourke is calling on the Government to use Budget 2027 to finally deliver on its promise of smaller class sizes, arguing that the removal of hundreds of classroom teaching posts this summer was a missed opportunity to reduce overcrowding.
Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
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